Panel jack

ABSTRACT

A panel jack includes a clamp with opposing jaws spaced apart upon a frame or bar, and a jack mounted onto the clamp at the base of the jack, the shaft or piston of the jack attached to an elongated brace. The brace may turn about the longitudinal axis of the jack and the jack may turn about the longitudinal axis of the clamp in order for the device to be folded into either a storage position or operational position. When in use, the longitudinal axis of the brace is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the jack and the jack is attached proximate to the center of the brace so that force exerted by the jack upon the brace may be distributed generally evenly along the length of the brace.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the prior filed, co-pending provisional application, Ser. No. 61/621,702, filed Apr. 9, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to devices for moving structural panels, namely, a device for moving a structural panel relative to and along a substructure such as a structural support member.

2. Description of the Related Art

Structural, laminated, construction panels for cladding the exterior of building structures are known in the prior art. Such structural panels typically comprise a rigid core of expanded polymeric material, such as fire resistant expanded polystyrene, sandwiched between outer surfaces comprising thermoplastic and/or composite fiber glass sheets adhered to the core via an adhesive film. Structural panels may be laminated in a continuous process and, therefore, may have practically any desired length. Typically, structural panels vary from about 8 to 30 feet in length from about 3 to 12 feet wide. The overall thickness of the panel may vary from about 3 to 12 inches. Structural panels are typically attached to structural support beams, such as C-beams, using fasteners not shown herein but known to a person skilled in the art. The panels are typically attached side by side to one another with the edges of each panel formed to interlock or conform to the edges of adjoining panels. Typically, mating edges comprise male or female coupling members such as mating ridges and grooves.

Structural panels with lengths sufficient to span multiple floors frequently require the use of special handling equipment, such as cranes, due to the considerable weight and size of each panel. When placing panels of this size, it is difficult and time consuming to align one panel to the next and to bring a new panel into full engagement with a previously installed panel. What is need is a device and method for pressing a new panel into engagement with a previously installed panel and to hold the new panel securely in place until the panel may be permanently secured to a structural support member, such as a structural support beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for moving structural panels relative to a structural support member. A panel jack may comprise a clamp with opposing jaws spaced apart upon a frame or bar, a jack, such as a ball screw jack, one end attached to the clamp, the other end attached to an elongated brace. The longitudinal axis of the brace is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the jack and the jack is attached proximate to the center of the brace so that force exerted by the jack upon the brace may be distributed generally evenly along the length of the brace.

The panel jack is typically used by first positioning a second structural panel adjacent to a previously installed first structural panel so that a first longitudinal edge of the second structural panel is parallel to and in close proximity to a mating edge of the first structural panel. The panel jack is positioned proximate a second longitudinal edge of the second structural panel distal to the first structural panel, and the clamp portion of the panel jack is attached to a nearby structural support member so that the brace portion faces the second longitudinal edge. Preferably, the face of the brace has been formed to include contours that mate with the contours of the second longitudinal edge. The panel jack is positioned toward the second structural panel until the face of the brace lies against the second longitudinal edge. The clamping screws of the clamp portion are then tightened to firmly but removably attach the clamp to the structural support member.

The jack portion includes a means for extending a shaft or piston from the jack housing. In the case of a ball screw jack, the shaft is extended or retracted by turning a worm screw positioned generally transverse to the ball screw that drives the shaft. The worm screw may have a head for receiving a socket that is attached to a rotational power source, such as a drill or power screwdriver.

The worm screw is turned in the appropriate direction to drive the shaft outward from the jack housing, thereby pushing the brace against the second longitudinal edge, thereby pushing the second structural panel against the first structural panel to cause the first longitudinal edge to contact and engage the mating edge. In the case of elongated structural panels, this operation may be repeated at several locations along the length of the panels, wherever a structural support member is located proximate a portion of the second longitudinal edge.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a panel jack in accordance with the present invention shown in a folded configuration for transport or storage and showing one side of the jack and clamp.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a panel jack in accordance with the present invention shown in a folded configuration for transport or storage and showing the opposite side of the jack and clamp.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a panel jack in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an environmental view of a panel jack installed upon a structural support member and with the brace positioned against the edge of a structural panel.

FIG. 4 a is an environmental view of a panel jack installed upon a structural support member and with the brace positioned against the edge of a structural panel.

FIG. 5 is an environmental view of a panel jack installed upon a structural support member and with the contoured face of the brace positioned against the matching contoured edge of a structural panel.

FIG. 6 is a side, diagrammatic view showing two panel jacks, each clamped to a separate structural support member, and each positioned to push a second structural panel rightward to abut a first structural panel.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of a panel jack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

With reference to the figures, FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an embodiment of a panel jack 100 for moving structural panels relative to a structural support member. The panel jack 100 includes a clamp 105, a jack 110 attached to the clamp 105, and an elongated brace 115 attached to the jack 110, so that by operation of the jack 110 the brace 115 may be moved toward or away from the clamp 105. The clamp 105 typically includes a first jaw 120 and a second jaw 125, the jaws opposed to one another and spaced apart upon a frame 129, which may comprise a bar, pipe or other elongated, rigid structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 129 comprises an elongated frame collar 130 welded or otherwise attached to an elongated frame panel 131. The jaws 120 and 125 are fixed upon the frame 130 at a distance that slightly exceeds that of the relevant dimension (e.g. horizontal width) of the structural support member 135 to which the clamp 105 is to be attached. In alternative embodiments, an adjustable frame 130 may be used to accommodate structural support members of other dimensions by providing means for one or both jaws 120, 125 to slide upon the frame 130. As shown in FIG. 2, the first jaw 120 is provided with two clamping screws 140 and 145 as means for tightening the clamp 105. A foot 140 a and 145 a is provided at the end of each clamping screw 140, 145 to directly engage the surface to be clamped between the jaws 120 and 125. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a panel jack 100 installed upon a structural support member 135, in this case a C-beam 135. To securely fasten the clamp 105, the clamping screws 140 and 145 are tightened against the side of the C-beam 135 facing the viewer after the brace 115 is positioned against the panel 150.

One end of the jack 110 (such as a ball screw jack) is attached to the clamp 105 the other end attached to the elongated brace 115. The longitudinal axis of the brace 115 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the jack 110 and the jack is attached proximate to the center of the brace 115 so that force exerted by the jack 110 upon the brace 115 may be distributed along the length of the brace 115. Typically, the extendable shaft 155 of the jack 110 is mounted or attached to the brace 115 via a pivotable bracket 160 so that the bracket 160 and attached brace 115 may turn or pivot about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 155.

The jack 110 is mounted to a collar 165 that rotates about the elongated shaft 170 of the frame 130. The collar 165 may be locked in position relative to the frame shaft 170 by tightening set screw 175, which is in threaded engagement with the collar 165. When the set screw 175 is tightened sufficiently it impinges upon the frame shaft 170 to frictionally engage the frame shaft 170 and cause the collar 165 to resist turning or rotation relative to the frame shaft 170.

The panel jack 100 is typically used by positioning a second structural panel 150 b adjacent to a previously installed first structural panel 150 a so that a first longitudinal edge 151 of the second structural panel 150 b is parallel to and in close proximity to a mating edge 152 of the first structural panel 150 a. The panel jack 100 is positioned proximate a second longitudinal edge 153 of the second structural panel distal to the first structural panel, and the clamp portion 105 of the panel jack 100 is attached to a nearby structural support member 135 so that the brace portion 115 faces and contacts the second longitudinal edge 153. Preferably, the face 115 a of the brace 115 has been formed to have contours that mate with the contours of the second longitudinal edge 153. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the face 115 a includes a first wall 190 a and parallel second wall 190 b spaced apart from one another to form a channel 185 running between the walls 190 a and 190 b. As shown in FIG. 5, the channel 185 is sized to receive and engage a ridge 153 a that is formed in, and projects laterally from, the second longitudinal edge 153. The panel jack 100 is positioned toward the second structural panel 150 b until the face 115 a of the brace lies against the second longitudinal edge 153 and the contours in the face 115 a and edge 153 align, mate or engage. The clamping screws 140 and 145 are then tightened to firmly but removably attach the clamp 105 to the structural support member 135.

The jack 110 includes a means for extending the shaft 155 from the jack housing. In the case of a ball screw jack, the shaft 155 is typically extended or retracted by turning a worm screw 180 positioned generally transverse to the ball screw that drives the shaft 155. The worm screw 180 may have a head for receiving a socket that is attached to a rotational power source, such as a drill or power screwdriver. FIG. 4 a shows a wrench and extension thereof 195 engaged with the head of the worm screw 180.

The worm screw 180 is turned in the appropriate direction to drive the shaft 155 outward from the jack housing, thereby pushing the brace 115 against the second longitudinal edge 153, thereby pushing the second structural panel 150 b against the first structural panel 150 a to cause the first longitudinal edge 151 to contact and engage the mating edge 152. In the case of elongated structural panels 150, this operation may be repeated at several locations along the length of the panels, wherever a structural support member 135 is located proximate a portion of the second longitudinal edge 153, see the diagram in FIG. 6.

An embodiment of a panel jack 100 may include a means, such as a clamp 105, for removably attaching the panel jack 100 to a non-movable surface, and an extensible member, such as an extendable shaft 155, for applying lateral force to a panel, such as a structural panel 150 used for building construction. The extensible member 155 is rotatable about the clamp 105 so that the panel jack 100 may be folded for transport and storage. The extensible member 155 terminates in an elongated brace 115 that may be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the extensible member 155. The elongated brace 115, when in use, is disposed so that the longitudinal axis of the brace 115 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the extensible member 155. The face 115 a of the brace 115 is contoured to mate with contours in the edge of structural panels 150 with which the panel jack 100 is to be engaged to facilitate lateral movement of the panels. The face 115 a may comprise a first wall 190 a and a second wall 190 b, arranged in parallel to one another and with a space therebetween creating a channel 185. Other contour elements may be used to match contours in the edge of any panel 150. Through operation of the jack 110, the extensible member 155 is extended thereby driving the brace 115 against the edge 153 and pushing the panel 150 along and across adjoining or underlying structural support members 135 until the panel 150 is in a desired position. As shown in FIG. 6, multiple panel jacks 100 may be used along the edge 153 of one panel and either used/operated concurrently or sequentially and in intervals. 

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A panel jack comprising: a clamp including an elongated frame having a first longitudinal axis, a proximate end and a distal end spaced apart from one another along said first longitudinal axis, a proximate jaw attached to said proximate end and a distal jaw attached to said distal end, said jaws spaced apart upon said frame a sufficient distance to receive a structural support member, a jack having a second longitudinal axis, a base and a shaft, said shaft substantially parallel to said second longitudinal axis, said jack attached at said base thereof to said proximate end of said clamp, said shaft attached to an elongated brace having a third longitudinal axis, whereby said clamp may be removably attached to said structural support member and said shaft may be extended to push said brace against a structural panel to move said structural panel along said structural support member.
 2. A panel jack as in claim 1, wherein the third longitudinal axis of said brace is substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis of said jack and to the first longitudinal axis of said clamp.
 3. A panel jack as in claim 1, wherein said jack is attached proximate to the center of said brace so that force exerted by said jack upon said brace is distributed along the length of said brace.
 4. A panel jack as in claim 1, including a first axis of rotation about said first longitudinal axis and a second axis of rotation about said second longitudinal axis.
 5. A panel jack as in claim 1, wherein said brace includes contours that mate with the contours of an edge of said structural panel. 